Three New iOS Features Expected for iPhones Later This Year

Apple finally enabled Universal Control in the macOS 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 betas seeded a few days ago, but there are still at least three other features expected to be added to iOS later this year, including support for driver's licenses in the Wallet app.

apple wallet drivers license feature
Below, we have listed new features that are planned for future iOS versions, along with a few features that are set to be expanded.

Driver's Licenses in Wallet App

Starting in "early 2022," residents of select U.S. states will be able to add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age.

Last year, Apple announced that Arizona and Georgia will be among the first states to support the feature and said that Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah will follow. Other states like Colorado, Delaware, Florida, and Louisiana already offer their own digital ID apps and could work with Apple on Wallet app integration.

Apple said select TSA security checkpoints will be the first locations where ID cards in the Wallet app can be presented, followed by retailers and venues in the future.

Apple has yet to enable the feature in the first beta of iOS 15.4.

Square-Like Payments

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple has been working on a new feature that will turn the iPhone into a payments terminal without any additional hardware like the popular Square Reader. The feature would allow an iPhone to accept payments when another iPhone or credit card is tapped on the back of the device.

mobeewave payment
Gurman said Apple may begin rolling out the payments feature with a software update "in the coming months," suggesting that it could be an iOS 15 feature, but it is possible that the feature could be announced as part of iOS 16 at WWDC in June.

Apple Music Classical

Last year, Apple announced that it had acquired classical music streaming service Primephonic. As part of the announcement, Apple said it plans to launch a dedicated classical music app in 2022 that combines Primephonic's best features with additional features and benefits. The app will be available to Apple Music subscribers "later this year."

primephonic app
It's unclear if the Apple Music Classical app will be made available to Apple Music subscribers at no additional charge or if it will cost extra.

Feature Expansions

Apple recently announced that 3D Apple Maps will be available in the Canadian cities of Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver later this year.

MacRumors also uncovered evidence that Hyundai's luxury brand Genesis is planning to support Apple's digital car key feature, which lets users lock, unlock, and start their vehicles using a pass stored in the Wallet app on the iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature has been limited to select BMW models since launching in 2020. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Genesis will likely roll out support for the feature by the summer.

Related Forum: iOS 15

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Top Rated Comments

B4U Avatar
45 months ago
And then there is the controversial 800 pound gorilla in the room. ?
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/12/15/apple-nixes-csam-references-website/
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Böhme417 Avatar
45 months ago

If I got pulled over by a cop for a traffic violation, the very very last thing I’d want to do is pull out my iPhone in clear sight to do a NFC to NFC connection or even worse- a visual inspection.
Nothing good can come from bringing your iPhone into sight when being roused by a law enforcement officer
In clear sight? Unless the wallpaper on your phone is a picture of you committing a crime, I'm struggling to see the issue here of your phone merely being visible.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wallinbl Avatar
45 months ago
Phone based ID, hotel room keys, etc only really have value to me if phones start to see 3-5x their current battery life. You go out sightseeing for a day, taking photos and videos with your phone, and you can wind up back at the hotel with a dead or near dead phone. I've done it, and trudged back down to the desk to get a keycard. Fortunately, I had my actual ID with me to show them, or I'd have been asking for a phone charger so I could show them my ID.

It probably works a lot of the time, but not to the point that I'd stop carrying a key card or my ID because of my phone.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
45 months ago
Driver's license in Wallet App is going to be a wonderful feature - especially when you are traveling and have to go through the airport security (TSA) while showing your boarding pass. It'll be nice not to worry about carrying anything. It is all on your iPhone. I’m pretty in the future sure it’ll be implemented on an Apple Watch too.

I’m hoping Nevada gets put on the list soon for the digital ID app. It will make traveling so much easier in here, Las Vegas, NV.

Another great benefit: You never have to worry about your driver license/ID being stolen. ?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aidler Avatar
45 months ago
Yo..lot's of really nice US only features.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sir_Macs_A_Lot Avatar
45 months ago
I like the first two features. Interested to see how Apple will monetize a service for public domain music.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)